Facility Notes

Construction Execs Say Nationals Park Close To Clearing Inspections

Construction execs working on Nationals Park said that they could "clear inspections and get a certificate of occupancy within a week." Team execs are currently "less concerned about the state of the ballpark than about potential traffic and parking hassles for fans trying to get there." Two parking garages at the park provide about 1,200 spaces and will be used "primarily by fans in the priciest seats and suites," and season ticket holders were "promised a chance to buy parking at lots within walking distance" for up to $35 per game. Nationals Senior Dir of Ballpark District Gregory McCarthy: "We were able to place every season ticket holder that wanted a space." In DC, Daniel LeDuc noted fans without season ticket spaces can park at RFK Stadium for free and take shuttles to the ballpark, which "could be the best option" as city officials last week announced new parking restrictions to "keep fans from parking on neighborhood streets during games" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/2).

SILVER DOLLAR: In Detroit, Bill Laitner reported former MLBer Nikco Riesgo "wants to turn the Pontiac Silverdome into a baseball stadium." Riesgo said that he wants to "form a partnership between the city and his Global Baseball Inc." to host international teams "from a league that has yet to form." Riesgo does "not want to buy the arena nor enter into a conventional lease," but would rather share revenues (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 3/1).

NOTES: The PGA Tour has sold TPC Tampa Bay to San Diego-based Heritage Golf Group (HGG), becoming the fifth TPC property to join Heritage as part of a strategic alliance between the PGA Tour and HGG. TPC Tampa Bay will be owned and managed by HGG, but will continue to operate under the TPC brand through a license agreement (PGA Tour)....California State Athletic Commission Exec Dir Armando Garcia Saturday said that the commission will "change its steroid testing lab for boxers and mixed-martial arts athletes" from a private Atlanta facility to the WADA center at UCLA (L.A. TIMES, 3/2).